The seventh round of the German Bundesliga is full of excitement with some true derby matches scheduled for this weekend. In this preview, we’ll take a closer look at two interesting games set for this Saturday, September 30th, 2017, when VFL Wolfsburg meets 1. FSV Mainz 05 at Volkswagen Arena, while Augsburg hosts Borussia Dortmund at WWK Arena.
You’ll certainly find some useful information down below, as we’re trying to get you the best tips and predictions, here on GetMoreSports. So, let’s start with the first game.
VFL WOLFSBURG vs. 1. FSV MAINZ 05
Three-Way: 1: VFL Wolfsburg +119; X: +250 Draw; 2: 1. FSV Mainz 05 +296
Spread -0.5: VFL Wolfsburg +112; 1. FSV Mainz 05 -120
Total +2.5: Over +116; Under -118
VFL WOLFSBURG
The Wolves are still looking for their form as they earned just six points from the first six games, winning the three points only against Eintracht Frankfurt on the road in the second round of the German Bundesliga. They are still winless at home, with two draws against SV Werder Bremen and Hannover 96, and one defeat from Borussia Dortmund in the opening round.
Martin Schmidt’s team will be looking for their first home victory against 1. FSV Mainz 05, after a great battle at Allianz Arena and a surprising 2:2 draw with Bayern Munich in the previous fixture of the German Bundesliga. They’ve managed to make an upset, even they were two goals behind at the halftime. Thanks to Maximilian Arnold and Daniel Didavi the Wolves have leveled the game in the second half, bravely defending their net until the end.
VFL Wolfsburg is having some problems with creativity making only 46 scoring opportunities so far. Their average shot accuracy is even worse, 35% per game, so it’s not strange they’ve scored just five goals so far. The midfielder Daniel Didavi is leading his team with 3 goals and 8 key passes on his account. Defensively, The Wolves are looking pretty decent conceding eight goals, while they are winning 47% of duels per game. Against Bayern Munich they’ve recorded 23 interceptions and 13 clearances, winning almost 60% of aerial duels.
The center-back Jeffrey Bruma is still recovering from a knee operation, while his colleague John Anthony Brooks is sidelined due to a tendon crack. The striker Mario Gomez is doubtful with the ankle injury.
FSV MAINZ 05
It looks like another laborious Bundesliga season after the O-Fives’ recent form of WLLWLL. They’ve played four games at home, recording two wins and two losses, while they were beaten both times on the road without scoring a single goal.
The manager Sandro Schwarz cannot be happy with the team’s defending, as they’ve conceded 10 goals so far. However, they kept the clean sheet against Hertha Berlin in the previous round of the German Bundesliga allowing just five shots to their rival, with the impressive record of 24 interceptions and 20 clearances.
Offensively, they are struggling, too, with six goals out of 57 scoring chances. The 21-year old midfielder Levin Oztunali is a creative force, leading his team with three dishes and eight key passes. The striker Yoshinori Muto is the only guy who scored two goals so far. The fans certainly expect more from this summer’s acquisition Viktor Fischer, who’s still looking for the first Bundesliga goal.
Sandro Schwarz is having slight concerns over some players, as Niko Bungert, Emil Berggreen and Phillipp Klement are all doubtful due to injury problems, but he can count on all key players.
VFL WOLFSBURG vs. 1. FSV MAINZ 05 – Match Prediction
This is probably the most unpredictable match of the German Bundesliga seventh round. What should I expect from these two teams, but a tough battle where both sides stand a chance for success?
The home’s self-confidence is certainly sky high after grabbing a point from Bayern Munich in the previous match, while visitors are still goalless on the road. Therefore, I’ll go with some goals on both sides, as I think FSV Mainz 05 can finally break the deadlock away from home in this one.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (-110)
FC AUGSBURG vs. BORUSSIA DORTMUND
Three-Way: 1: FC Augsburg +620; X: +382 Draw; 2: 1. Borussia Dortmund -172
Spread +1: FC Augsburg +112; Borussia Dortmund -120
Total +3: Over +106; Under -116
FC AUGSBURG
Since the starting defeat against Hamburger SV, everything is going well for FC Augsburg, as they’ve earned 11 points with a form of DWWWD. Manuel Baum’s patient and defensive approach are working nice making Augsburg’s defense the third best in the German Bundesliga, just behind Borussia Dortmund and Hannover 96. In the previous two rounds, they’ve managed to keep the clean sheet, allowing 19 scoring chances to their opponents in total.
In the final third Manuel Baum’s guys are doing a pretty good job, as they converted eight out of their 57 scoring chances. The striker Alfred Finnbogason is leading his team with four goals, while the winger Marcel Heller and the left-back Philipp Max both made two assists so far. The forward Michael Gregoritsch, who came from Hamburger SV this summer, is proving his worth lately with a goal and assist on his account.
The manager Manuel Baum can count on almost all key players for the match against Borussia Dortmund, besides Ja-Cheol Koo and Moritz Leitner who are doubtful due to injuries.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND
The BVB is clipping on all cylinders lately, finding themselves at the top of the German Bundesliga table with 16 points after six rounds, and a 19:1 goal difference. In the last three encounters, they’ve scored 14 goals, allowing only one in the previous fixture against Borussia Monchengladbach. At home, they are perfect, while the only draw so far came against Freiburg on the road. However, Peter Bosz’s guys kept their net intact away from home.
Borussia Dortmund is the most effective team of the Bundesliga so far, while their defense is also the best in the league.The leading striker is Gabonian star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with eight goals, as he nailed a hat-trick against Borussia Monchengladbach, toping the Geman Bundesliga goal scoring chart. The manager Peter Bosz can surely be delighted with his team creating 91 scoring opportunities. Gonzalo Castro is glittering with 16 key passes and assist on his account. Seventeen out of their nineteen goals came from inside the box, and that is telling a lot about their attacking display.
Peter Bosz’s side is still playing without Marco Reus, while left-back Marcel Schmelzer and Raphael Guerreiro are sidelined due to ankle injuries. Erik Durm and Sebastian Rode are both probably unavailable for the clash against Augsburg, as they are slowly recovering from injuries.
FC AUGSBURG vs. BORUSSIA DORTMUND – Match Prediction
Borussia Dortmund is a favorite in this one, but I expect to see a sturdy defensive job from the home team. FC Augsburg is in a good form and they will look for their chance from counter-attacks. I’ll go with the under in this one, as I believe Augsburg’s defense is strong enough to resist Dortmund’s storming attacks.
MY PICK: Under 3 Goals (-116)
